Fully Believing The Rules Don’t Apply to Him, Mandel’s Personal Financial Disclosure More Than 100 Days Late

COLUMBUS, OHIO – In his latest example of taxpayer-funded self promotion, Ohio’s ethically-challenged Treasurer Josh Mandel has spent tens of thousands of dollars turning the State Treasurer’s website into a campaign-style site that allows taxpayers to search for the salaries of public employees. This new upgrade comes despite the fact that Josh Mandel is still refusing to file his Personal Financial Disclosure Report (PFD). Is there a more perfect example of Josh Mandel believing the rules don’t apply to him than this one?

On the heels of a new Associated Press report that says Mandel’s campaign “has been shaken by allegations of questionable campaign cash and ethical lapses – and a broken promise,” one has to wonder why our newly elected Treasurer would go out of his way to highlight his enormous hypocrisy.

But disclosing the salaries of those who work for you while refusing to reveal your own finances is consistent with how Josh Mandel is running his campaign which is currently under fire because of recent questionable contributions and a pending FEC complaint for campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime and his illegal use of state campaign resources for his federal campaign on his campaign website and email list.

Just last week a Cleveland Plain Dealer report showed that Mandel may have broken federal election laws yet again when he used state campaign money to pay for at least 10 out of state federal campaign trips during the opening weeks of his term as Treasurer.

Personal Financial Disclosure Reports for candidates are due within 30 days of becoming a candidate or by May 15^th, whichever date is later.  Mandel filed his campaign committee on April 6th, 2011 with the FEC, and as a result his PFD report was due May 15th, 2011.

“More than 100 days past due, Josh Mandel’s continued refusal to file his Personal Financial Disclosure report while eagerly disclosing the salaries of Ohio’s public employees is emblematic of Mandel’s arrogant belief that the rules don’t apply to him,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “With Mandel under fire for questionable contributions, numerous FEC violations, and other ethically-challenged practices, it’s unbelievable that he refuses to put his Personal Financial Disclosure report behind him, and come clean with Ohio voters.”

BACKGROUND

Mandel’s Office Spent Over $58,000 To Redesign Treasurer’s Website And Allow Searching Of Public Employee Salaries.  In August 2011, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported “Mandel’s site allows a curious taxpayer to search for salaries by name, department and salary range. For a given worker, the database returns wages in the most recent pay period, total pay for the year-to-date, and an estimated annual salary.  Redesigning the website has cost $58,172, according to the treasurer’s office.” [Plain Dealer, 8/30/10]

Mandel Filed With FEC On April 6, 2011.  According to the FEC, Josh Mandel filed paperwork for his Senate campaign with the FEC on April 6th, 2011.  [FEC, 4/6/11]

Candidates Must File Within 30 Days Of Candidacy Or By May 15th, Whichever Is Later.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports, reports must be filed “Within 30 days after becoming a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Member of the United States Senate, or by May 15 of that calendar year, whichever is later, but at least 30 days before the election, and on or before May 15 of each succeeding year an individual continues to be a candidate.” [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

Candidate Is Anyone Who Has Raised or Spent $5,000.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports, a candidate “is an individual: who seeks nomination for election, or election, to Federal office; and has received contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000, or has made expenditures aggregating in excess of $5,000; or the individual has given his or her consent to another to receive contributions or make expenditures on his or her behalf aggregating in excess of $5,000.” [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

If Candidates File Over 30 Days Late Candidate Must Include $200 Penalty.  According to the instructions for the Personal Financial Disclosure Reports “Any individual who is required to file this report and does so more than 30 days after the date the report is required to be filed, or, if an extension is granted, more than 30 days after the last day of the filing extension period shall be subject to a $200 penalty (fine). Such penalty must accompany the disclosure report when filed with the Secretary of the Senate and must be made payable for deposit in the U.S. Treasury.” [Senate PFD Instructions, Accessed 6/15/11]

Trips Funded By State Treasurer Campaign In Locations That Raised Large Sums Of Money For Federal Senate Campaign

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio’s ethically-challenged and opportunistic Treasurer Josh Mandel paid for 10 out-of-state “political meetings” just one month after being sworn into his four year term as Treasurer. While Mandel’s lack of focus on being a “darn good Treasurer” is unquestioned, his choice to pay for these trips with state campaign funds is highly disturbing. Mandel’s trips were largely to locations that raised huge sums of money for his U.S. Senate campaign, despite being funded by his state campaign.

• Why was Mandel’s Treasurer’s campaign funding out-of-state trips so soon after he took office? He certainly wasn’t raising money for his reelection as Treasurer. Mandel’s state campaign raised a meager $650 in 2011 from just five out-of-state donors.

• What was Ohio’s newly elected Treasurer doing at a “political meeting” early February in New York? Eight weeks later, checks started rolling into Mandel’s federal campaign from the Big Apple, with Mandel raising at least $176,000 in the New York area.

• What “political meetings” did Mandel need to attend in Washington, D.C. on March 11^th and March 17^th for his treasurer’s campaign?  Less than a month later and only two days after he filed for his federal campaign committee, checks began to appear.  Mandel has raised more than $57,000 in the Washington, D.C. area.

• Finally, what “political meetings” did Mandel need to attend in Utah (seriously, Utah) on March 21^st and 22^nd for his state treasurer’s campaign?

If this all sounds a little shady, that’s because it is. It’s also consistent with how Josh Mandel is running his campaign which is currently under fire because of recent questionable contributions and for posting copyrighted imageson his campaign website without permission.

And if this all sounds a little familiar, that’s because the pending FEC complaint against Josh Mandel is in part due to Mandel’s use of state campaign resources for his federal campaign on his campaign website and email list.

“It appears Josh Mandel truly believes rules are made to be broken, and using state campaign funds to pay for his federal campaign fundraising is the latest in a long list of illegal and ethically questionable actions by our Travelin’ Treasurer,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “Whether it be failing to explain questionable contributions, campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime, refusing to file his Personal Financial Disclosure, or making illegal transfers from his state to federal campaign accounts, it has become clear that Josh Mandel thinks the rules just don’t apply to him.”

BACKGROUND

Federal Candidate Campaign Committees Cannot Accept Funds Or Assets From Another Committee Established By The Same Candidate. According to the FEC’s Candidate Guide, “A candidate’s authorized (federal) committee may not accept funds or assets transferred from a committee established by the same candidate for a nonfederal election campaign. At its option, however, a nonfederal committee of the same candidate may refund its leftover funds to its contributors and may coordinate arrangements with the federal campaign for a solicitation of those same persons. The full cost of this solicitation must be paid by the federal committee. 110.3(d). See also AO 1996-33.” [FEC Candidate Guide, pg. 61]

Mandel’s State Campaign Spent Over $21,000 in 2011.  According to Ohio campaign finance records, Mandel’s state campaign spent at least $21,363 since January 10, 2011, the day Mandel was inaugurated as treasurer.  [Ohio Campaign Finance Records]

More Than $8,000 Was Spent On Travel Including Trips to Utah, New York and Washington, D.C.  According to Ohio campaign finance records, Mandel’s state campaign spent over $8,000 on airfare, hotels and other travel expenses and traveled to Utah, New York and Washington, D.C. for “political meetings.”  [Ohio Campaign Finance Records]

Most of The Trips Were Taken In A Two Week Period From March 14-April 1 Just Five Days Before Mandel Filed His Federal Campaign.  According to campaign finance records, most of the trips taken by Mandel’s state campaign fell between March 14, 2011 and April 1, 2011, just five days before Mandel filed the paperwork for his federal campaign committee.  [Ohio Campaign Finance Records]

Mandel’s Campaign Spent Money On At Least 10 Trips In Less Than Two Months.  According to campaign finance records, Mandel’s campaign purchased airfare for at least 10 trips in between February 7, 2011 and April 1, 2011. [Ohio Campaign Finance Records]

Mandel’s State Campaign Only Raised $650 Total From Five Out-of-State Donors in 2011.  According to Ohio campaign finance records, Mandel’s state campaign only raised $650 total from five out-of-state individuals in 2011.  [Ohio Campaign Finance Records]

Justin Barasky, Press Secretary for the Ohio Democratic Party, released the following statement today in response to reports of “unusual donations” from a Canton based firm to Josh Mandel:

“Today’s report that Josh Mandel received one-hundred thousand dollars in questionable contributions from workers in a Canton based company, many of whom had almost no history of political giving, is very troubling and there are serious ethical and legal questions that should be answered.  Frankly, all of this smells worse than milk that’s been left in a refrigerator for more than 90 days and it’s extremely troubling that Josh Mandel’s immediate reaction has been to try and sweep this under the rug. Whether it be not explaining questionable contributions, campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime, refusing to file his Personal Financial Disclosure, or making illegal transfers from his state to federal campaign accounts, it has become clear that Josh Mandel thinks the rules just don’t apply to him.”

COLUMBUS – Today, the Ohio Democratic Party announced it has named Kyle McDermott as Executive Director. As Executive Director, McDermott will be responsible for devising, implementing and managing the execution of the Ohio Democratic Party, its overall election strategy and activities, and its plan for growth.

McDermott will assume the position following the November 8 election of this year, after fulfilling commitments to the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the We Are Ohio campaign to defeat Issue 2.

“I am thrilled that Kyle will be leading our talented team at the Ohio Democratic Party,” said Chairman Chris Redfern. “In Kyle, I have found one of the most talented political professionals in the country, and he will help lead our efforts to elect Democrats up and down the ticket.”

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown added, “Kyle has a distinguished career fighting to strengthen our middle-class, create jobs, and protect Social Security and Medicare. He has the determination and expertise to lead the Ohio Democratic Party, and I look forward to working with him as we defeat Issue 2 and elect Democrats across the state in 2011 and 2012.”

Born into a family of steelworkers and teachers, McDermott was raised in Zoar, Ohio and graduated with a B.A. in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College. In 2006, McDermott served as the state director for the Ohio AFL-CIO statewide political program. As the national field director for United Steelworkers, McDermott played a crucial role during the historic 2008 election. More recently, McDermott worked as campaign manager for the Secretary of State’s race in 2010.

“I am thrilled to be leading the best state Party in the nation in what is shaping up to be the most important election in decades,” McDermott said. “Throughout the Buckeye State, I have witnessed the enthusiasm and engagement of Democratic activists, and I am eager to harness that energy into the 2012 campaign.”

Mandel Rips Vote As “Harmful And Out Of Touch” Responding To Editorial Slamming Mandel’s Irresponsible Political Opportunism

Just Days Ago, Mandel Admitted He Would Have Voted No, Allowed U.S. And Ohio To Default

COLUMBUS, OHIO – In a letter to the editor in today’s Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio’s newly-elected Treasurer Josh Mandel viciously attacked Senator Rob Portman’s recent vote to avoid a disastrous default for Ohio. Mandel ripped the vote as “both harmful and, once again, out of touch with Ohio families and senior citizens.”

Mandel’s two-faced attack comes in response to last week’s Plain Dealer editorial slamming Mandel’s political opportunism during the debt ceiling debate, and just days after admitting he would have voted no on the compromise bill that avoided default. The PD editorialized:

• What we still don’t know is whether the young Republican, not five years removed from Lyndhurst City Council, has the policy savvy to serve there if elected.

• The inferences to be drawn from Mandel’s opportunistic position on Tuesday’s debt-ceiling vote are not encouraging.

• For responsible politicians, the window for partisan posturing had closed. If senators had failed to act, the United States might have defaulted on its obligations;

• But Mandel’s willingness to play politics on an issue of such importance only raises questions about his understanding of the job he hopes to fill.

Mandel falsely claims that losses in the stock-market and the U.S. credit downgrade are proof that the compromise vote was a mistake. Is it possible that Ohio’s Treasurer is so shockingly ignorant that he believes the market and our credit rating would be superior if the United States had gone into default?

 Josh Mandel’s position is clear by reading his own written-words. Mandel believes a no vote last week was the only appropriate course of action, despite the fact that nearly 2 million Ohioans who rely on Social Security and Medicare would potentially go without benefits in a default. Now in a blatant effort to score political points and make Sherrod Brown look bad, Josh Mandel has inadvertently slammed fellow Republican, Senator Rob Portman.

“Josh Mandel’s irresponsible attack on Senator Portman is an unfortunate attempt at playing politics with Ohio’s economy and more evidence that he’s willing to do or say anything to jump to his next job,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “At some point Josh Mandel is going to have to explain why he’s so dead-set on proving that default would have been a good idea for Ohio’s economy, middle-class, and nearly 2 million seniors on Social Security and Medicare.”

BACKGROUND

Portman: Debt Compromise Is A “Step In The Right Direction” And I Support It Because It Avoids Default.  In August 2011, Senator Portman said of the compromise debt ceiling bill he voted for “This is a step in the right direction because it begins to address Washington’s addiction to higher spending and dangerous levels of debt.”  Portman added “It is only a first step and there is more to do, but I support the agreement because for the first time ever it begins to address Washington’s underlying spending problem while raising the debt ceiling and avoiding default.” [Plain Dealer, 8/2/11; Vote 123, 8/2/11]

Mandel: Vote For Debt Deal Was “Harmful” And “Out of Touch.”  In an August 2011 letter to the editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Josh Mandel wrote “What’s transpired since then has proven that Sen. Sherrod Brown‘s support of the debt deal and his vote against the balanced budget amendment were decisions both harmful and, once again, out of touch with Ohio families and senior citizens.  Since Brown’s vote, the stock market has crashed, the Postal Service has announced possible default and, for the first time in U.S. history, Standard & Poor’s downgraded America’s credit rating.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/9/11]

More Than 2 Million Social Security Recipients In Ohio Might Not Get Benefits If U.S. Defaults.  According to the Social Security Administration, 2,124,650 Ohioans receive Social Security benefits.  [Social Security Administration]

Almost 2 Million Medicare Recipients In Ohio Could Be In Danger Of Losing Benefits.  According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 1,850,484 Ohioans receive Medicare.  [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]

Recent Actions Hint Jordan Uninterested In His Seat, Ken Blackwell Openly Encouraging A Run

COLUMBUS, OHIO – It’s looking like the GOP Senate primary between Kevin Coughlin and Josh Mandel might be adding Congressman Jim Jordan into the fray. Aside from the near-daily encouragement by Ken Blackwell, Jordan’s recent actions which include publicly embarrassing Speaker of the House John Boehner during the debt ceiling debate, and the recent revelation that Jordan is the only member of the Republican Congressional delegation not to contribute to Ohio House Republican campaign fund, suggest that Jordan may no longer be interested in his House Seat.

Jordan Publicly Embarrasses John Boehner

No Republican Congressman was more openly-hostile to John Boehner during the debt ceiling debate than Jim Jordan. Boehner was so angered by Jordan that the Columbus Dispatch reported:

Jim Jordan’s open defiance of Speaker John Boehner’s efforts to solve the debt-ceiling crisis could cost the Urbana Republican his safe seat in next year’s election.

Two Republican sources deeply involved in configuring new Ohio congressional districts confirmed to The Dispatch today that Jordan’s disloyalty to Boehner has put him in jeopardy of being zeroed out of a district.

Jordan Disses The Very Ohio Republicans In Charge Of Redistricting

Before deciding to publicly take on John Boehner, Jordan thought it would be a good idea to stiff the very Republicans in Ohio who will be drawing up new Congressional districts. Again, the Columbus Dispatch reported:

Midyear state campaign-finance reports showed that the Urbana Republican was the only one of Ohio’s 13 GOP congressional members not to contribute to the Ohio House Republican campaign fund. The other 12 donated a total of $164,766, in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $17,315.

It was expected that congressional members would give generously to the Ohio House campaign committee because GOP state lawmakers will be redrawing their districts this year.

Ken Blackwell Endorses And Encourages A Jordan Run

Ken Blackwell is emerging as Jim Jordan’s number one cheerleader, openly encouraging Jordan to run for Senate. WKSU and the Columbus Dispatch both reported on Blackwell’s message to Jordan:

After a lunchtime speech at the Columbus Metropolitan Club, Blackwell said if fellow Republicans try to cut Jordan out of a district next year when they compress Ohio’s current 18 congressional districts down to 16 to comply with census changes, then Jordan should consider running for the Senate.

“I think that if perhaps Jim Jordan didn’t have a House seat, he’s known in Washington as a doer and I’m sure he would be known across the state as a conservative doer,” Blackwell said today. “Competition is good.”

Ohio’s former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell says fellow tea party Republican Rep. Jim Jordan should take on his own party if it tries to eliminate his district. Jordan was a vocal opponent of House Speaker John Boehner during the debt-ceiling debates. The Columbus Dispatch reports that as a result Boehner has endorsed a redistricting plan that would carve up Jordan’s south-central Ohio district. Blackwell says if that happens, Jordan should run in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

As redistricting plays out, all eyes will be on Jim Jordan in Ohio as he decides whether to turn Ohio’s two-way Republican primary into a free-for-all.

“It’s clear that a number of Republicans in Ohio aren’t happy with Kevin Coughlin and Josh Mandel as their choices in this primary and are looking for other options,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “Unfortunately for Ohio Republicans, they’re going to have a tough time finding anyone who’s on the same side as middle-class Ohioans when it comes to protecting Medicare, preserving Social Security, and standing against the overwhelmingly unpopular Ohio Senate Bill 5.”

Did They Discuss Rove’s Crossroads Ads Currently On Air Attacking Sherrod Brown?

COLUMBUS, OHIO – As the United States nears a potentially devastating default that Josh Mandel supports, Ohio’s newly-elected and not so darn-good Treasurer had a cozy breakfast meeting yesterday with Koch Brothers’ lobbyist and Karl Rove Protégé Matt Schlapp. Schlapp, the recent Vice President of Federal Affairs for Koch Companies, is known in D.C. as “Karl Rove’s guy.”

So what were they discussing?

Did they converse about Karl Rove’s latest round of attack ads in Ohio aimed at distorting and outright lying about Sherrod Brown’s record? After all, there’s no one closer to Karl Rove than Matt Schlapp, and if so—illegal coordination with Rove’s group by Mandel would be yet another notch on the rule-breaking belt for a guy who refuses to file his Personal Financial Disclosure, campaigns for Senate with taxpayer dollars, and accrues FEC violations that he makes no attempt to explain.

Will Josh Mandel come clean about the details of his ritzy Cap Hill Club breakfast with “Karl Rove’s guy” Matt Schlapp? Or is he too busy focusing on being a “darn-good state Treasurer?”

“Ohioans deserve to know what was said and if there was any coordination when Josh Mandel met with Karl Rove’s protégé yesterday while at the same time Karl Rove is on air in Ohio doing Mandel’s dirty-work and attacking Sherrod Brown,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “Blatantly breaking the rules while at the same time ignoring his job as Treasurer is nothing new for Josh Mandel, but despite his arrogant belief that he should never be held accountable for anything by anyone, there are actual rules that candidates have to follow, even if you are enjoying breakfast with a Koch Brothers’ lobbyist.”

BACKGROUND

Mandel Met with Lobbyist Matthew Schlapp For Breakfast.  According to Matt Lewis of the Daily Caller, Mandel had breakfast with “Lobbyist Matt Schlapp” on Wednesday July 27, 2011.  [Matt Lewis Twitter, 7/27/11] Schlapp Was Vice President of Federal Affairs for Koch Companies.  According to his bio on Cove Strategies website, Matt Schlapp was the Vice President of Federal Affairs for Koch Companies as well as Political Director for President George W. Bush.  [Cove Strategies, Accessed 7/27/11]

Koch Brothers Plan To Spend $88 Million In 2012 Elections.  In February 2011, Politico reported “In an expansion of their political footprint, the billionaire Koch brothers plan to contribute and steer a total of $88 million to conservative causes during the 2012 election cycle, according to sources, funding a new voter micro-targeting initiative, grass-roots organizing efforts and television advertising campaigns.” [Politico, 2/11/11]

Schlapp “Karl Rove’s Guy.”  In October 2004, the National Catholic Reporter noted “Notre Dame graduate Matt Schlapp is there with his wife and daughter. He has a fancy title, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Political Affairs. Which means, in Washington terms, ‘Karl Rove’s guy.’”  [National Catholic Reporter, 10/6/04]

Rove’s Crossroads Groups Plan To Raise $120 Million To Spend on 2012 Elections For Republicans.  In March 2011, CBS reported “A pair of Karl Rove-affiliated conservative groups – American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS – announced Tuesday morning that they are seeking to raise $120 million through the end of 2012 to help defeat President Obama and boost the electoral prospects of Republicans.” [CBS New, 3/1/11]

Schlapp Traded Emails With Disgraced Lobbyist Jack Abramoff Aide And Karl Rove About Firing A State Department Official Abramoff Wanted Out.  In June 2008, the Washington Post reported “If lobbyists find the path to their clients’ riches obstructed by an implacably hostile federal official, they might achieve success by an end run or an appeal to more senior authorities. But a more extreme solution — if the foe has high-level support — is to pull strings at the White House and orchestrate the official’s removal.”  The Washington Post noted that Abramoff aide Tony Rudy sent an email to Schlapp regarding a State Department negotiator, Alan Stayman, that an Abramoff client wanted fired.  On June 18, 2001, Rudy emailed Schlapp “There is a Clintonista . . . scheduled to be renewed on the 23rd of this month unless action is taken. . . . Is there any way you can weigh in presidential personnel?”  Later on July 5, 2001, Karl Rove emailed Schlapp regarding the removal of Stayman “where are we on this?”  [Washington Post, 6/19/08, ellipses original]

Schlapp Was Deposed As Part Of Abramoff Investigation – Said He Reported Directly To Karl Rove And Rove Only.  In August 2007, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee deposed Schlapp as part of its investigation between Jack Abramoff and his contacts with the White House.  The following exchange occurred between the committee’s majority counsel and Schlapp:

Q (Kristin Amerling, Majority Counsel) And where are you currently employed? A (Matthew Schlapp) Koch Industries. Q And what is your position there? A Director of political affairs. Q And where were you employed prior to your work in that position? A With the administration. Q And what was your position there? A Political director. Q And during what period of time did you serve as political director? A From approximately spring of 2003 through February of 2005. Q And to whom did you report in that position? A To Karl Rove. Q Did you report to anyone else?

A No. [House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Deposition, 8/27/07, pg. 7]

COLUMBUS – Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern held a conference call in advance of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s visit to Screen Machine Industries in Pataskala. The Chairman’s remarks follow:

Thank you for joining us today.

As you know, Mitt Romney will be going on a tour of the Screen Machine Industries in Pataskala today and he’ll be talking about manufacturing. We are proud of the hard work of the men and women in our manufacturing sector here in Ohio. Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, whether it’s V&M Star in Youngstown, the Jeep plant in Toledo, or Screen Machine Industries in Pataskala.

President Obama has worked to support Ohio’s manufacturing sector, while Mitt Romney has criticized those efforts. In early June, Romney criticized President Obama for unveiling an initiative to train 500,000 new skilled workers in the manufacturing sector.

Mitt Romney called the President, quote, “out of touch” for touting manufacturing jobs as a growth sector. The Wall Street Journal even said Romney scoffed, quote “at the notion of manufacturing as a job engine for the future,” end quote. Just a couple weeks earlier, he called the President quote “out of touch” for encouraging young people to pursue manufacturing jobs.

Mitt Romney even criticized the President over an initiative that Screen Machines itself promoted earlier this month. The Newark Advocate reported that Screen Machines hosted a tour of its facility to encourage young adults to learn about career paths in manufacturing industries. This tour was part of the STEM initiative, an important component of President Obama’s efforts to promote manufacturing. But Mitt Romney says that these efforts make President Obama, quote “out of touch.”

Screen Machines also received $154,000 in Recovery Act grants for a portable screening plant. President Obama’s leadership made this critical funding possible, while Mitt Romney, of course, opposed this assistance for America’s employers like Screen Machines.

So today, we will see Mitt Romney use an Ohio manufacturing facility that has benefited from President Obama’s efforts as a backdrop to rail against President Obama’s record on manufacturing.

What should be most troubling to Ohioans is not just the hypocrisy of Mitt Romney’s visit today and not just his disdain for the manufacturing sector. What is most troubling is his abysmal record on manufacturing as Governor of Massachusetts.

During his tenure as Governor, manufacturing jobs declined at a rate twice the national average. Between 2002 and 2006, when he was Governor, employment at manufacturing jobs declined by 14 percent.

One of the biggest factors of the decline in manufacturing during his tenure as governor was his opposition to a program called the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership. This program was a highly successful and popular program that helped small manufacturers leverage public and private resources to grow their companies.

But Mitt Romney vetoed more than $700,000 in funding for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

The point is: Mitt Romney just doesn’t get it.

He apparently doesn’t understand that manufacturing is the backbone of Ohio and the backbone of America. Millions of families rely on these jobs and they take pride in building real, tangible goods.
President Obama’s record is clear. Since the beginning of 2010, the economy has added more than 230,000 manufacturing jobs. And in the early parts of 2011 production is growing at 7 percent.

Mitt Romney’s record on manufacturing is also clear, and it’s a bad one.

BACKGROUND:

Romney Said “The President Seems To Be Out Of Touch” For Encouraging Young People To Pursue Manufacturing Jobs. “At the stop in Detroit, Romney said Obama showed he was ‘out of touch’ this week when he encouraged young people to pursue manufacturing jobs. ‘Last month, 5,000 people lost their jobs in manufacturing,’ Romney said. ‘The president seems to be out of touch.’” [Detroit News, 6/9/11]

Romney “Appeared To Scoff… At The Notion Of Manufacturing As A Job Engine For The Future.” “Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and the Republican frontrunner, opposed the federal bailout of the auto industry and appeared to scoff this month, first in Detroit, then in Florida, at the notion of manufacturing as a job engine for the future.” [Wall Street Journal, 6/24/11]

Romney “Twice This Month Said That The President Was Out Of Touch For Suggesting Young People Go Into Manufacturing” But “We Have Had Manufacturing Growth That Rivals The Levels Of The 1980s.” Jonathan Weisman said in an interview on the manufacturing industry: “Actually, Obama sees and opening here because Mitt Romney, twice this month said that the president was ‘out of touch’ for suggesting young people go into manufacturing, go into community college to study, different kind of high-end manufacturing techniques and if fact if you look at the sort of sluggish recovery of jobs, manufacturing is one of the bright spots. Not particularly beaming but we have had good strong manufacturing growth. We have had manufacturing growth that rivals the levels of the 1980s.” [News Hub, Wall Street Journal, 6/24/11]

Rob Portman, John Boehner, President Ronald Reagan All Disagree With Mandel’s Extreme Position

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Standing shoulder to shoulder with the far right-wing of his party, Ohio’s newly-elected ethically-challenged Treasurer Josh Mandel supports allowing the United States to default on its obligations. Mandel takes this extreme stand despite the potentially devastating economic implications and loss of Social Security and Medicare benefits that would cripple Ohio, and its seniors.

The consequences of default are so severe that Josh Mandel disagrees with Republicans like Senator Rob Portman, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and standard-bearer President Ronald Reagan.

Perhaps Mandel’s been too busy fundraising around the country to understand just what default means for Ohio. Stubbornly supporting default and refusing any compromise means more than 2 million Social Security recipients and more than 1.8 million Medicare recipients in Ohio would be in danger of receiving no benefits.

**WATCH THE VIDEO:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkP9CvVI5l0

“Rob Portman, John Boehner, and even President Ronald Reagan all disagree with Josh Mandel’s extreme position that the United States should go into default and accept economic disaster,” said Ohio Democratic Party Press Secretary Justin Barasky. “While members of both parties may vary on the specifics of a deal, Josh Mandel stands virtually alone in his endorsement of default, which puts more than 2 million Social Security recipients and more than 1.8 million Medicare recipients in Ohio in danger of receiving no benefits.”

BACKGROUND

Portman: Default Is Not A Risk Worth Taking.  According to Ohio News Network, “With a fragile economy at stake, both of Ohio’s senators agree on raising the debt ceiling for the United States.  ‘I think it’s a risk not worth taking,’ said Republican Sen. Rob Portman.” [ONN, 7/15/11]

Boehner Has Said Default Is Not An Option.  In July 2011, Politico reported “Geithner noted that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) have all individually said ‘default is not an option.’” [Politico, 7/18/11]

Mandel Opposes Raising Debt Limit.  In a June 2011 message from Senate Conservatives Fund, Sen. Jim DeMint wrote “Sherrod Brown supports raising the debt limit.  Mandel opposes it.”  [Senate Conservatives Fund, 6/27/11] 

More Than 2 Million Social Security Recipients In Ohio Might Not Get Benefits If U.S. Defaults.  According to the Social Security Administration, 2,124,650 Ohioans receive Social Security benefits.  [Social Security Administration]

Almost 2 Million Medicare Recipients In Ohio Could Be In Danger Of Losing Benefits.  According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 1,850,484 Ohioans receive Medicare.  [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]